Are you looking to buy art in Hong Kong? The good news is that this is a fabulous artistic hub – in fact, HK has the third highest art sales revenue in the world after London and New York! Here, we chat with a number of artists based in Hong Kong about their artworks, inspiration and current projects.
Artists in Hong Kong
# Richard Crosbie
Give us an introduction to your art career and your artworks.
I’ve always been instinctively drawn to art – but becoming a “real” artist only truly happened after a career shock. Before COVID, I spent 25 years as a toy designer. During the pandemic, my employer closed, and I experienced a hard reset: the removal of my day-job identity, followed by an instinctive return to my core “programming”. I grabbed a paintbrush, stepped outside and simply started painting.
I began recording what I saw: people, streets and scenes full of energy and intensity. Over time, I found myself reappreciating everyday life again and again, as if I were seeing it for the first time. From there, joy became my compass. I began translating daily life into images that capture the gloriously chaotic detail of Hong Kong – filtered through my designer’s eye.
What mediums do you use?
I work with pen, ink, watercolour acrylic and pastels, and although I haven’t tried oil paint yet, I keep returning to watercolour. There’s always some new technique or property of the medium that draws me back, inviting me to keep learning.
Where do you get your inspiration?
From Hong Kong itself, which to me is an endless muse. Whether the city is bustling or beautifully quiet, there’s a certain energy here that is unlike anywhere else on earth.
It’s usually everyday moments and scenes of life that inspire me and elicit an emotional reaction within me. When I paint, I tend to play it straight. I don’t abstract or simplify; rather, I paint it as I see it, in all its glorious chaotic detail, from peeling paint to dirty walls. It’s these specific details in any given scene that make it truly unique to Hong Kong. However, I do on occasions create more fantastical pieces, such as my ‘Hong Kong Butterfly’ painting which I describe as a deconstruction and a reimagining of classic Hong Kong icons.
Do you work at home, in a studio or somewhere else?
I work either at home (my dining table) or outside on location often on the street – usually using my knees as a table to create urban sketches while sitting on fire hydrants!
Give us an insight into a typical workday.
For a full-time artist, I spend a surprising amount of time not creating art. As a one-man band, I am both the CEO and office boy of my own business. I do all my own admin, packing, deliveries, running around the city buying materials and writing articles such as this!
How can Expat Living readers see or buy your art?
I have social media pages as well as a website, and readers are welcome to send me a message and I’ll be happy to chat.
I’ve just finished my second solo exhibition and I’m now working towards exhibiting at the Affordable Art Fair in May. I will be exhibiting with an art collective named Rouge Art, and we will be at stand B13.
FB @852Richard | IG @richardcrosbie_art
richardcrosbieart.com
# Anthony Fryer
Tell us about your art.
I create bespoke artworks tailored to elevate any home or office, featuring custom colour palettes or specific Hong Kong locations to suit your space perfectly.
My work emphasises the lines, pathways and distinctive features of Hong Kong’s neighbourhoods. It is site-specific and story-driven, inviting viewers to connect the artwork directly to the locations that inspired it. It uses expressive, gestural lines with strokes of blues, reds, browns and greys, which outline architectural details. I also paint using a stone from the particular location of inspiration, creating a direct, physical connection between the artwork and the place that shaped it.
Where do you get your inspiration?
My inspiration comes from pathways in Hong Kong, particularly the alleyways, side streets and architectural features encountered in the city. The paintings evoke the energy of the neighbourhoods and translate those impressions into semi-abstract, place-based compositions.
Give us an insight into a typical workday.
As the artworks are created in stages, one artwork will typically take one to two weeks for completion. The first task is to take photos of the location in Hong Kong, after which I prepare the materials and build the wash layers with a wide brush. Once the background is dry, I draw lines in pencil freehand, then use a stone from the location to add faint etches and gestural lines to define the architecture of the scene. When I’m finished, I review the composition and document the connection between the location and the story.
Any new or notable works or exhibitions you can tell us about?
My work has been exhibited at the Affordable Art Fair in Hong Kong in 2024 and 2025, at Christie’s Hong Kong in 2023 (one of 55 artists worldwide to exhibit there, through Asia Art Archive), at the RCA in London, and at Beatrice Royal Gallery in Southampton. My work can currently be seen at Hong Kong International Airport.
How can Expat Living readers browse or buy your art in Hong Kong?
My artworks sits happily in both commercial and hospitality environments, as well as domestic settings. They are permanently accessible through two key professional representations: the Hong Kong Arts Collective (locally) and Artstory.co.uk (serving the UK and international markets). Through the Hong Kong Arts Collective, I’m part of a platform that prioritises local artistic voices and makes art discovery seamless for collectors. Unlike traditional high-street galleries, this allows for a more personal, direct-to-collector experience, often bridging the gap between the digital viewing and the physical presence of the work.
Got any tips for buying artwork?
#1 Trust your instincts. If a piece resonates with you personally in those first few moments, it will likely hold its meaning and value in your home for years to come.
#2 Research the provenance of the piece. Understanding the “how” and “why” adds immense insight.
#3 Consider the environment. Consider how the artwork will fit in with your specific space. Factor in natural lighting, existing wall colours, and whether the scale of the piece complements the room’s proportions.
9674 4592 | IG @artworksbyanthonyfryer
anthonyfryer-artist.com
# RAINB.W
Tell us about your art.
I specialise in watercolour paintings of Hong Kong’s night cityscapes. From early in my artistic practice, I was drawn to the unique character of watercolour — its flowing and inherently spontaneous qualities. It’s a medium that seems to breathe with life and movement — impossible to fully control, yet exquisitely beautiful in its unpredictability.
My paintings focus on familiar Hong Kong street scenes and urban landscapes — views that feel instantly recognisable to those who live here. Through the interplay of dramatic light and rich colour, I reimagine these everyday spaces as dreamlike nocturnes. What I love most about this subject is its powerful duality: the scenes are collectively shared and deeply familiar, yet they resonate differently with each viewer, stirring personal memories, stories and emotions. In this way, I aim to transform the ordinary into something poetic.
Where do you get your inspiration?
I’m deeply inspired by my city. The streets, architecture and urban structures give me a solid framework to work from, which then allows me to abstract and freely experiment with light and colour. For me, it’s not just about painting the city, but capturing that unique feeling of stillness within chaos.
Where do you work?
I mainly work in my studio. While I occasionally paint en plein air on the streets of HK to directly capture the city’s atmosphere and energy, I feel most at ease and productive in the comfort of my studio.
There, I can work at a relaxed, contemplative pace — free from the constraints of time and shifting outdoor conditions. It’s in this space that I can fully enter a state of flow, allowing my imagination to wander and experiment freely with colours and light in my paintings.
Give us an insight into a typical workday.
My days as an artist are really varied — no two are ever the same! Some days I’m fully immersed in the studio, painting for hours on end. Other days I head out into the city to take reference photos of streets, neon signs and night scenes. I also meet with clients from time to time to discuss commissions and custom pieces. And when an exhibition or art fair is coming up, you’ll probably find me with a hammer and nails, busy installing my works on the walls.
One thing that really affects my schedule is natural light. Since I paint in watercolour, I rely on good daylight. Bright sunny days are perfect for long painting sessions, but once it gets gloomy or evening sets in, I usually have to stop. I enjoy this mix — it keeps things interesting and balanced between painting, exploring the city, and handling everything else that comes with being an artist.
Any new or notable works or exhibitions you can tell us about?
I’m always working on new paintings — my Hong Kong night cityscapes in watercolor are an ongoing series, and I’m constantly exploring new ways of depicting this beautiful city after dark. The best way to see my latest works is on my Instagram @rainb.w, where I regularly share new pieces, works-in-progress and upcoming exhibitions.
How can Expat Living readers browse or buy your art?
You can browse and purchase my original paintings directly through my website.
I also exhibit regularly in various art shows and exhibitions across Hong Kong throughout the year. I’ve been showing my work at the Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong for the past eight years, alongside other group and solo exhibitions. So, if you’re in Hong Kong, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to see my originals in person!
rainbw.art | IG @rainb.w
# Zue Chan
Zue Chan is a Hong Kong-based artist whose work is shaped by the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures. Blending traditional Chinese ink techniques with contemporary acrylic methods, Zue explore themes of resilience, flow and emotional vitality through the relationship between stones and water – symbols of inner strength and the ever-changing rhythm of life. She is currently an artist in residence at the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre (JCCAC).
Where do you get your inspiration?
My inspiration always goes back to Victoria Harbour and Lion Rock. My studio is near Lion Rock, and I see it almost every time I return to the studio. To me, Lion Rock feels like a guardian spirit – quietly protecting the city and the people living within it.
I also spent nearly a year doing volunteer work, collecting surplus food from restaurants and distributing it to homeless people along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront. During that time, I saw Victoria Harbour every week, and it created a much deeper emotional connection between me and the harbour.
These places are not only landscapes to me — they carry memories, emotions, and the spirit of Hong Kong.
Where do you work?
I have my studio in JCCAC, where I usually paint after work and on weekends. It’s a quiet creative space where I can fully focus on experimenting with textures, colours, and new ideas for my paintings.
Give us an insight into a typical workday.
My workdays usually begin with coffee, followed by pouring paint onto the canvas to create organic textures and flowing forms. I often begin by shaping the sky first, then gradually draft the landscape based on the unexpected patterns created by the fluid paint. I enjoy working intuitively, allowing the textures and colours to guide the direction of the painting. Besides painting, I also spend time preparing exhibitions, creating content for Instagram, and developing new ideas inspired by daily life, the city and nature.
Any new or notable works or exhibitions you can tell us about?
I’ve just finished exhibiting at Affordable Art Fair 2026, which was a really meaningful experience for me. Recently, I’ve been focusing more deeply on my painting practice and continuing to develop my Hong Kong-inspired series.
Looking ahead, I’m also excited to explore new possibilities by collaborating with friends on integrating AI and projection mapping into my artistic practice. I’m interested in creating more immersive experiences that combine traditional painting, movement, light and technology.
How can Expat Living readers browse or buy your art?
Readers can browse my latest artworks and projects through my Instagram page. Enquiries or purchase requests can be made via DM or email (zuezuechan@gmail.com).
Evanza Art
L2-03, The Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre (JCCAC), 30 Pak Tin Street,
Shek Kip Mei, Kowloon, Hong Kong
IG @zuezue_chan
# Lisa Huang
Tell us a bit about your art.
I paint en-plein-air, a 19th-century practice relating to artists who capture a moment in time with their artwork (the name comes from the French term for “outdoors”). Working with black ink and watercolour pigments, my artworks are direct, spontaneous and infused with high energy. They are focused on the cities I visit and the place I live in. Colours are strong yet distinct and timeless. The artworks are also a slice of me as much a puzzle piece of the environment. Say hello when you spot me along the streets!
Where do you get your inspiration?
Travelling humbles and inspires me. The vastness of a landscape, the chaos of a junkyard, the exquisiteness of a luxurious hotel, the turn of dawn – these are all fragments of emotion and experience that are quietly stored in our memory. I recall these when I create a colour palette or a composition; most importantly, they form my judgement of aesthetics.
Where is your workspace?
Outdoors for the bulk of the creation, a studio for staging and the final layer of creation, and home for scripting and administration.
Give us an insight into a typical workday.
Negotiating scheduling, design deliverables and commercial deals, because that is my professional day job in Central. The artist workday happens once a week and is divided between creation and mind-mapping work. This can involve communication with galleries and collectors, reorganising the website, or experimenting with new colour combination for the next piece of art.
Any new or notable works or exhibitions you can tell us about?
With the new studio this year, I look forward to hosting an artist open house in November, where guests can enjoy conversation and gain insights. It will include four in-situ artists’ workspaces, collectibles, art in progress and more. Drop me a note at hello@lisahuangart.com if you’d like an invitation!
How can Expat Living readers browse or buy your art?
My social media platforms like IG will offer you a direct connection with me and my art. It’s in my DNA to respond promptly. You can also browse my website, lisahuangart.com. Pop by for a private viewing at the studio too.
Studio 1205, 12F, Yue Fung Industrial Building, 35-45 Chai Wan Kok Street, Tsuen Wan, New Territories
5121 1301 | lisahuangart.com
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